LaBabera Overly Interested in "Aberrant" Sex

Our old friend Peter LaBarbera ("Babs") is on a rampage once again, referring to HRC and equal rights advocates as "aberrant-sex activists." Further, he cites the HRC's material as proof that anyone who disagrees with him is involved in some widespread conspiracy to corrupt biblical principles.

*Take a second to look at what the HRC developed, and notice the many references to remaining calm when faced with opposition.

First, when I consider the heterosexual couples I know, I don't automatically focus on their sexual behavior. Honestly folks, who does that? Unless it's brought up in a private conversation, who really knows what goes on in the bedrooms of heterosexual couples? That being said, why is it that Babs automatically links the phrase, "aberrant-sex" with anyone who is homosexual? It seems to me that Babs is far too interested in the deeply personal sex lives of other individuals.

I could go on for quite a while about this subject, but I'll sum it up in this brief statement: We don't care what anyone else does in their bedrooms or who they do it with! Equal rights means just that...all people should have the EQUAL opportunity to love who they love and provide for them using the same benefits and protections in place for heterosexual, married couples.

Second, take a look at the mention of the organization's "pray-in" as a show of civil disobedience in protest of the newly signed hate crimes legislation.

"On October 28, President Barack Obama signed into law a measure extending the
federal hate crimes statute to include so-called sexual orientation. The
ministers believe this will criminalize all criticism of homosexual behavior,
including that contained in the Bible.
To test this belief and protest a
clear violation of First Amendment freedom of speech and religion, various
clergy will preach short sermons and read passages from the Bible regarding
homosexual behavior. Like Dr. Martin Luther King and the Sixties Civil Rights
movement, they will engage in civil disobedience to protest injustice."

Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement? Are they serious? African Americans were not equal members of society before the work, and, might I mention, the blood spilled by the brave activists who took a stand and fought. How dare you, Mr. LaBarbera, put yourself in the same category as those who fought, suffered humiliation and died for the equal rights enjoyed by white Americans. Having a philosophical difference with others is NOT the same thing as being oppressed by a society as a whole. If anything, the work of the HRC is closer to that of the civil rights movement, because committed homosexual couples aren't allowed to provide for their families or even call themselves "married" because Babs and those like him feel threatened.

Shame on you, Babs.

From Pink Slips to Rainbow Slips...

Recently Janet Folger, one of my favorite fundies, started a campaign to get constituents to send "pink slips" to their senators and congressmen. In short, these cute little notes are aimed at getting members of congress to vote against various pieces of legislation, namely anything having to do with hate crimes. She uses the usual rhetoric about how passing any hate crimes legislation would most certainly doom all members of the clergy to prison sentences. Basically, it's your usual fundie message claiming that the sky is indeed falling. What I find amazing, other than the fact that Ms. Folger thinks any hate crime legislation is evil, is that she's charging people to have these pink slips sent to the members of congress! I suppose her organization has fallen on hard times if she's requiring her supporters to pay to join her little grassroots action. Well, LGBT people of America...we can make a little grassroots noise of our own!

Here's what I propose...

Let's get as many people as possible to send "rainbow slips" to members of congress. Unlike Ms. Folger and her organization, we won't charge for you to participate. Simply copy my design...alter it some, if you wish, and send it to your representatives or to the entire congressional body.

Rep./Senator Smith
By receiving this rainbow
slip, you are on notice that your constituents demand your vote in our
favor on the following issues:

* The protection of every citizen’s
civil rights by passing hate crime legislation.

* Same-sex marriage with
equal recognition and rights as traditional marriages.


Signed: ____________________________________

Send this to your friends, and report back here in the comments section so we can all see our progress. Remember, if you sit quietly and do nothing, the status quo will remain. Be proud, be loud, and don't let the fundies get in the way of our civil rights!

Fox News Suffering An Identity Crisis?

You know it's a slow news day when the fundies are debating the legitimacy of a cable news network. If you haven't heard already, Obama's aides have been in an ongoing feud with the network, and have released several statements to that effect. What has the fundies all riled up now? Obama himself gave an interview in which he said,

"I think what our advisers have simply said is that we are going to take media
as it comes," Obama told NBC's Savannah Guthrie. "And if media is operating
basically as a talk radio format then that's one thing, and if it's operating as
a news outlet that's another. But it's not something I'm losing sleep over."

In another discussion, Senior Advisor David Axelrod was quoted as saying,

"(Fox is) not really a news station."

I've never been a huge fan of Fox News, in fact...between Sean "I'll Cut Off Anyone Who Disagrees With Me" Hannity and Bill "I'm the Ultimate Authority on Everything" O'Reilly, I find watching the network positively nauseating. And, yes, several of their "talking heads" have their own radio programs in addition to their appearances on the network. I suppose the question is...SO WHAT??!! CNN and MSNBC also have hosts who are both on television and on the airwaves...either through radio or podcasts. Do you hear the fundies mentioning anything about them? The answer, of course, is "no" because the fundies aren't having an illicit affair with either of those networks.

As usual, the wingnuts are running to the defense of their beloved mistress because those evil, liberal bastards are being big bullies. How dare they disagree with the almighty, ever truthful and forthright wingnuts? (Insert incredibly sarcastic sigh here)

In my not so humble opinion, the fundies are at such a loss for things to rant and rave about, they're forced to report on the obvious! Oh well, tomorrow they'll be upset because someone at the White House mentioned that a Fox News correspondent wore mismatched socks. I'm with Obama on this one...I'm not losing any sleep over it!

Campbell's or Progresso? A Decision Made Easier

I'm sure you've seen the commercials lately comparing the nutritional value and taste preferences between Progresso soups and Campbell's soups. Each commercial dangles one or more reasons why we should choose one soup over the other, but the American Family Association has probably given us a reason to choose Campbell's (and, by extension, Swanson products) over the Progresso options.

Placed prominently on their homepage today (I absolutely love it when they make it so easy, lol), is one of their infamous "action alerts" challenging all those who cherish "traditional" families to boycott Campbell's and their "Labels For Education" because the company advertises in The Advocate.

AFA went on to explain...

Many people aren't aware that when their school participates in Campbell's
"Labels for Education" program they are supporting a company that has openly
come out in support of homosexual marriage, and it has no intentions of stopping
that support.
"Labels for Education" provides equipment for schools in
exchange for proofs of purchase from the family of Campbell's brands.
Many
of the schools that participate don't know that Campbell's supports the
homosexual publication The Advocate with advertising. The Advocate is a leading
promoter of same-sex marriage.
AFA asked Campbell's to be neutral in the
culture war. Campbell's refused and said it would continue to support The
Advocate. The Media Daily News reported that a Campbell spokesman was quoted as
saying: "Our plans for the Swanson brand [a division of Campbell's] include
additional placements in The Advocate." To show their commitment to same-sex
marriage, Campbell's sought out and featured two
"married" lesbians and their son in one of the ads.

That's right...not only is Campbell's advertising in one of the leading LGBT publications, but they're actually seeking out homosexuals and their families to be featured in their ads! (Insert sarcastic gasp here)

It seems to me that the director, Mr. Wildmon, has shot himself (and, by extension, his argument) in the foot by pointing out that Campbell's was interested in showcasing examples of successful homosexual unions and their resulting families. Included in their alert is a link to the ad specifically mentioned, and I found it to be very warm and charming. Of course, the AFA will say I'm biased and on some level they'd be right...but isn't it comforting to see images of loving families? Go ahead...call me biased, but I'm in favor of any advertisements that promote the concept of loving families regardless of their individual components. I suppose this is just another example of the AFA's endless discrimination against anything that isn't palatable to them.

So...the next time you're on the soup aisle...reach for those cans of Campbell's and Swanson products and say, "Take that!" to Mr. Wildmon.